Gatekeeper (boxing)
In boxing and mixed martial arts, a gatekeeper is a skillful and well-regarded fighter, but one who does not have the popularity or brilliance of a contender. They are considered to be a cut above most journeymen.
Characteristics
Gatekeepers often have the following characteristics:
- they have the most impressive resume in regard to they fight the best fighters of their respective era
- receive little to no press, and they are paid a fraction of what contenders receive
- are usually students of the game and love boxing immensely
- are sometimes former contenders or top ten fighters who just fell short of their dream
- tend to be big time stepping stones for other proven contenders
- often were top ten talents who just never quite won a title
- are relegated to fight other contenders to boost the contender's stock for a title fight [1]
Examples
The following fighters have all been described as gatekeepers:[1][2][3][4]
- Monte Barrett
- Edison Miranda
- Jameel McCline
- Raymond Joval
- Earnie Shavers
- Ross Puritty
- Saul Montana
- Willie Chapman
- Dennis Bakhtov
- Robert Hawkins
- Friday Ahunanya
- Vaughn Bean
- Przemyslaw Saleta
- Kenny Craven
- Louis Monaco
- Randall Bailey
- Tony Thompson
See also
References
- ^ http://www.eastsideboxing.com/news.php?p=5760&more=1 The Most Important Fighter in Boxing History
- ^ http://www.boxingscene.com/edison-miranda-gatekeeper-tough-gate--19866 Edison Miranda as The Gatekeeper? Tough Gate
- ^ http://www.thesweetscience.com/news/articles/14588-i-like-marquez-over-judah-ward-over-dawson-and
- ^ http://www.saddoboxing.com/730-barrett-gatekeeper-cometh.html Monte Barrett: The Gatekeeper Cometh
